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Last Friday evening, May 1st, I headed out to Elmhurst with my wares to set up in a very hip store, Camden Boutique. Many stores around town were participating in the First Annual Art Off the Park, a preview night for the weekend's Art in the Park. The owner, Dee Doyle, and the staff were very welcoming, and had the store stocked with champagne and chocolates for customers. I had a great time, met new people, and made good sales! Camden will be carrying my work very soon - as soon as I get the order made, hopefully by next week :)
Saturday and Sunday's art fair was the first of the season....I broke out the tent and all the equipment (was sure I was forgetting something....but I did good!), and the weather could not be better, with the exception of some pesky wind. Also - to my surprise, I won 2nd place overall out of over 150 artists! This rarely happens to me, so I was very shocked and grateful. This past spring I won 2nd place at the Spring Bloom show in Bloomington, and 2 years ago I won 1st place in the jewelry category at the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival. These are my only awards in 10 seasons of doing shows (this is m
y 11th season, I can't believe it!), so needless to say, I never expect one, and it's such a great honor when it happens. 
Unfortunately, the bummer of the show was theft. Theft is a big issue for us artists out there on the road, and most people are surprised to hear this. I, myself, am surprised when it happens, because you always want to believe that people are generally honest, especially the friendly art fair goers. Every time it happens, I try to think of what kind of person would steal from an artist, from someone who puts so much time and energy into their work. It really angers me to know that some jerk is e
njoying the energy of my blood, sweat, and tears that I put into that piece of jewelry. For me specifically, I have struggled with the thought of locking my jewelry in cases for the shows, but if you know my jewelry, you know it really has to be touched and tried on. Also, some shows are so busy that I would have a hard time helping everyone in a timely fashion. So, I think that the thefts that happen are worth the fact that I think my jewelry sells better when it can be available to the customer without being locked up. I just have to remember to stay awar
e of the people at my booth, but when you're out there all day and if it's busy, it's easy to forget....Oh, and the theft was especially upsetting because it was one of my new rings - the XXL rectangle ring (pictured in a previous post), and it is also my most expensive to date ($115). I had another ring like it in my inventory, so I felt good that it sold on Sunday. At least I know it's a winning design, since it's seems coveted! ;) And I also had a small pair of earrings stolen. Strange - I have the most thefts in the suburbs - not many in the city! Interesting.....
Two weeks to stock up again for my next show! Come out if you're in Chicago - May 23-24 - Indie Designer Market on Randolph.
Later, M.
At long last, this weekend marks the beginning of my outdoor show season! I hope to see you out at the Elmhurst Art in the Park, this Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3. Hours are 10am-5pm both days. ALSO, I will be setting up my jewelry Friday night (May 1st) at Camden Boutique in Elmhurst for the first annual Art Off the Park from 5-8pm. I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people as well!
Also, recently I got to see my highly anticipated press appearance in this month's issue of Chicago Magazine....although you can't even see my necklace. Maybe if you look really really really close. Oh well, any press is good press, and it still makes me proud. Nice to be listed with Michael Kors and Chanel, yes? This necklace (it's there on her neck, really) is sold at Florodora on S. Dearborn in Chicago. I am sending them a new shipment of jewelry this week, so it should be in stock by next week.For fun, I just found the second Craig Ferguson opener where he lip-synches with the puppets and those other 2 dudes. Cracks me up beyond belief. Hope he does another one tonight - I'll be looking for it.....check it out.Until next time,Melissa
The shows are quickly approaching, and I realized I've been promising new designs, and so I've been working hard at following through with this promise ;) And I thought - hey, I need some new ring designs! It seems that my latest trend is "go big or go home." Big rings, big bracelets, big necklaces......here's a quick shot of my new rings. The diamond with the cutout I made last night, the x-large rectangle, I finished a couple minutes ago. Enjoy!P.S. Notice lack of manicure and write off as "hard-working craftsperson." (I never get manicures, shhhhhh.)
Welcome to the first blog post for Rapt in Maille! This is my first time blogging for anything, so it's kind of exciting! I'm getting a little geeked out over it....
My friend Audrey Keller, who does all the photography for my website, recently decided to organize a Women's Entrepreneur Forum at her studio. I attended the second one last week, and there was much discussion about the relevance of blogging, so here I am! I hope to bring you my experiences designing jewelry, running a business, traveling to art fairs and trade shows to sell my product, and all the exciting ups and downs that go with it. And also maybe some interesting/weird/amazing things I happen to run across just for fun. My big art fair season starts soon, so it's a good time to start a blog - I'm looking forward to 
documenting my travels, the cool people I always meet, and the funny (and not so funny) things that inevitably happen on the road.As far as what is going on right now, it's Saturday and I'm about to tag and inventory a bunch of jewelry for City Soles on North Ave, and hopefully also deliver it today - visit the store soon to see some new designs! I'm posting a picture of one of them. I took 3 of the Glam Rosette bracelets, attached the sides, and WA-LA! An exciting new design for lovers of large, tough pieces, which is what I am personally drawn to the most. It really kicks ass on the wrist.
Until next time....
y 11th season, I can't believe it!), so needless to say, I never expect one, and it's such a great honor when it happens. 
njoying the energy of my blood, sweat, and tears that I put into that piece of jewelry. For me specifically, I have struggled with the thought of locking my jewelry in cases for the shows, but if you know my jewelry, you know it really has to be touched and tried on. Also, some shows are so busy that I would have a hard time helping everyone in a timely fashion. So, I think that the thefts that happen are worth the fact that I think my jewelry sells better when it can be available to the customer without being locked up. I just have to remember to stay awar
e of the people at my booth, but when you're out there all day and if it's busy, it's easy to forget....Oh, and the theft was especially upsetting because it was one of my new rings - the XXL rectangle ring (pictured in a previous post), and it is also my most expensive to date ($115). I had another ring like it in my inventory, so I felt good that it sold on Sunday. At least I know it's a winning design, since it's seems coveted! ;) And I also had a small pair of earrings stolen. Strange - I have the most thefts in the suburbs - not many in the city! Interesting..... 
